Michigan State’s Nick Samac made ‘easy decision’ to return for fifth season
© Mike Mulholland/mlive.com/TNS
Michigan State offensive lineman Nick Samac (59) calls out an adjustment before the snap in the second quarter of their college football game against Western Kentucky at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, October 2, 2021.
EAST LANSING – Nick Samac didn’t just crack the rotation as a true freshman, he started.
That’s not easy to do, especially for a center.
Then after four seasons at Michigan State, Samac had the option to pursue an NFL career or return. He chose the latter and is back for a fifth and final year with the Spartans.
“It obviously took some thinking,” Samac said after Michigan State’s first spring practice last week. “I just looked within myself. I was told you’ve got to look in the mirror – how much improvement do I need to make as a player – and I felt there was a lot to improve this year and a lot more I could prove on the college scene. So, it was an easy decision for me from there.”
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A former three-star recruit from Ohio, Samac was an early enrollee in Michigan State’s 2019 recruiting class and had to get up speed quickly. An injury to starter center Matt Allen led to Samac making four starts in seven games as a true freshman.
Following the retirement of coach Mark Dantonio, Mel Tucker took over the program in 2020 and brought Chris Kapilovic with him from Colorado to be the offensive line coach and run game coordinator. The pandemic wiped out all of spring practice that year and Samac ended up starting six of seven games after Allen was injured again.
Allen returned to use a sixth year in 2021 and split time with Samac, who finally took over as the full-time starter last season. He logged a team-high 803 offensive snaps and was named an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection.
With an extra season of eligibility available due to COVID-19, Samac decided to use it. That was the same choice made by his roommate, starting left guard J.D. Duplain, after the two discussed their futures. Samac also sought feedback from former Michigan State teammates who faced the same option.
“I’m trying to be the best I can be coming out of college,” said Samac, who has 22 starts in 38 career games, “so I think that’s going to happen for me this year.”
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Michigan State headed into last spring facing the impossible task of trying to replace All-American running back Kenneth Walker III, who left for the NFL draft. The Spartans added two more transfers to the backfield in Jalen Berger (Wisconsin) and Jarek Broussard (Colorado) but progress made up front was delayed. Three offensive line starters from 2021 were gone while injuries and those recovering from surgery resulted in a very shorthanded group. Michigan State had only five scholarship offensive linemen available in spring practice last season and converted a pair of walk-on defensive tackles.
“That was difficult, especially because we were just trying to get as many reps as we could with the guys that we had,” Samac said. “We weren’t able to get a consistent line. … It was hard to get that rhythm. Obviously going into fall camp it was a little bit better but this year is a lot better, for sure.”
The Spartans return a trio of full-time starters on the offensive line in Samac, Duplain and right tackle Spencer Brown. Brandon Baldwin made five starts at left tackle last season while right guard Geno VanDeMark appeared in 10 games with two starts as a redshirt freshman. Michigan State’s new additions up front include Keyshawn Blackstock, a four-star JUCO product with two seasons of eligibility remaining who Samac said spent the first practice working at left tackle. Tucker said there were 19 offensive linemen available at the start of spring practice.
“I think now we’re going to get guys that are going to get reps, get experience, and on top of that, the guys that were getting so many reps last (spring) … we’re going to get a load taken off of us too,” Samac said. “We’re going to go into fall camp fresher, which is going to be good for us.”
Samac, 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, has individual goals to work on in his final season as Michigan State and there’s a lot of room for growth for the offensive line overall after a disappointing season. The Spartans ranked 110th in the nation in rushing last year at only 113.0 yards per game while posting a 5-7 record. Berger is a returning starter, there’s depth back at the position and Michigan State added two more running back transfers in Connecticut’s Nathan Carter and South Florida’s Jaren Mangham.
“Obviously a lot of room for improvement,” Samac said of the offensive line. “I think that the big emphasis last year was there was always one guy doing something wrong and I think it was the little details that we’ve got to keep working on. Those are the things that we’re harping on the younger guys. … We’ve got to do all the little things the right way if we’re going to be successful and open up holes for our backs.”
Related Michigan State football stories:
NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper high on two former Spartans
Michigan State’s Bryce Baringer carries quiet confidence into NFL draft
Michigan State WR Tre Mosley planning on ‘dominant’ season
Michigan State WR Jayden Reed boosts NFL draft stock with strong Senior Bowl, combine
Mel Tucker hires NFL assistant to fill opening on Michigan State’s staff
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